Tax Filing Strategies for Student Loan Borrowers

To our valued clients and readers, 

By now most of you know that your tax filing strategy plays an important role in your loan repayment and forgiveness strategy. But with the CARES Act still lingering, and new payment plans on the horizon, there are some new considerations for this year that we’d like to point out to help you maximize savings.  

CARES Act Considerations 

First, let’s summarize where things stand with the payment and recertification pause. All signs point to borrowers going back into repayment in 2023, sometime between May and September. It all depends on how long it takes the Supreme Court to rule on Biden’s 1X student loan cancellation. When payments start back up, your payment amount will be the last calculated payment you received at your last recertification. This is a good thing if you’re making more money now. You will keep that payment amount for at least 6 months after payments start before you are required to recertify your IDR payment plan. Some borrowers won’t have to recertify for a full year after payments resume. Remember, recertification requires paperwork and downloading the most current tax return on file or using paystubs to prove your income. So doing some advanced planning and forecasting here can save you a lot of money.  

Tax Filing Extensions 

CARES Act aside, most borrowers must recertify between May and October each year, as that is when you likely entered repayment originally. So, if you file your taxes by the normal deadline (around April 15^th) each year, then that recent tax return will be used to calculate the payment. Filing an extension out to October 15^th may benefit you by allowing you to recertify using your previous tax return (2021 vs 2022 in this case), and help you lock in a lower payment. Repeating this process each year can add up to tremendous savings in the end.  

• Example: You’re a physician in pursuit of PSLF. Projections show your payment amount in your practicing years is around $3000 per month. If you employ the tax extension strategy before or during your transition to practice, you lock in another year of payments based on your training income (typically $200 to $300). This shaves off a year of practicing income on the back end, saving you about $33k!  

Another reason to consider filing a tax extension, specifically for 2022 returns, would be for those considering switching IDR plans when the new rules take effect July 1^st. Switching plans always requires new income documentation, and you obviously want to document the lowest amount possible. On that note, we recommend that most borrowers (especially those with dependents) reassess their repayment options on account of the drastically increased poverty level deductions offered through the new REPAYE plan. 

Note that if you file an extension, you must still pay any taxes owed by the deadline (April 18th for 2022 filings) to avoid possible interest and penalties. Plan accordingly by still calculating your taxes as you normally would. Make payments before deadline if applicable. Then wait as late as October 15^th to do the actual filing.  

MFJ vs MFS 

For married couples, payments can also be reduced in select IDR plans by filing taxes with the status Married Filing Separately (MFS). Though this status typically increases the tax liability for the household, it often results in substantially lower IDR payments, and therefore increased savings under the PSLF or IDR forgiveness plans. When trying to decide if MFS is a good strategy, it is critical that you weigh those two dynamics against each other. To do this, run both scenarios… MFS and MFJ. Then consider the increased tax liability (if there is any) vs. the difference in monthly payments, and how forgiveness is impacted. A good rule of thumb is that you should evaluate if MFS will deliver savings when your spouse is earning $30k or more and has little to no federal student debt.  

It is also worth noting that you can go back and amend taxes up to three years back. If you employ the MFS strategy, and the cost is significant, you could go back and capture the savings you would have achieved under MFJ. Confirm with your CPA the costs, risks and other considerations for amending tax returns.  

Community Property States:  

(Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin) 

There’s an additional consideration if you live in one of the above “Community Property” states. 

In these states, when you file Separately from your spouse, 50% of the household income will be reported on your tax return, regardless of what portion of your household income you contribute. If your spouse makes less than you, this is a good thing. If your spouse makes more than you, it will unfortunately result in your payment being higher.

Luckily there is a workaround. After linking up your tax returns in the IDR application, select the “my income has significantly changed” option. From there you may submit a payroll stub showing your individual income. The servicers don’t really care that you’re in a CP state and will typically still honor the requested separation of incomes when calculating your payment.

• Example: You’re a resident with a $60k income. Your spouse is a Pharmacist in the private sector earning $120k. Your household income is $180k, therefore your payment is based on $90k. Using the workaround above your payment will be based on $60k, and decrease substantially.

Help If You Need It

If you’re struggling with this complexity you’re not alone! US tax laws are already complicated enough to give most people a headache. Many of us gladly pay a CPA a few hundred dollars just to take it off our plates. Factoring in student loans, plus the CARES Act, takes the complexity to another level. That is why many borrowers work with us on an ongoing basis to not only map out their loan repayment strategy, but also ensure savings are maximized along the way. Our advisors are not CPAs. But they do have the knowledge needed to employ the above strategies, ask the right questions, and even coordinate with your CPA to ensure your tax and student loan strategies are always complementing one another. So, if you’re not a current client, or it’s been a while since we’ve connected, this is the perfect time to register for a comprehensive student loan consultation and get a plan in place to stay ahead of this rapidly changing student loan environment. 

*DWOQ does not provide specific tax advice or filing services for individuals, nor are we able to assume what your tax liability is based on your profile. We provide strategies for navigating your student loan repayment options. We recommend you consult a tax professional to determine your tax liability depending on how you file. 

Brandon Barfield

Brandon Barfield is the President and Co-Founder of Student Loan Professor, and is nationally known as student loan expert for graduate health professions. Since 2011, Brandon has given hundreds of loan repayment presentations for schools, hospitals, and medical conferences across the country. With his diverse background in financial aid, financial planning and student loan advisory, Brandon has a broad understanding of the intricacies surrounding student loans, loan repayment strategies, and how they should be considered when graduates make other financial decisions.